Uruguay was best of South American teams at World Cup: Suarez

Montevideo, July 9 (IANS) Forward Luis Suarez gave a positive evaluation on Monday of Uruguay’s performance at the World Cup in Russia, noting that the team finished in fifth place with the best results of any South American team.

“We started out as just one more team and finished in fifth place in the World Cup, the best of South America, and that’s something that must be appreciated,” the FC Barcelona star told reporters at Carrasco International Airport upon the team’s return home, reports Efe.

The national football team was greeted by a crowd of thousands, even though it arrived at 3.30 a.m., something Suarez said made him proud and showed that “the team did a good job”.

The forward also noted the absence of Edinson Cavani in the match against France, a “different” player not only for his goals but also for the “concern” he causes rival teams.

As for his own part, Suarez considered his World Cup performance went “from less to more” though he regretted that in the decisive match against France, he didn’t get “a shot at goal”.

Asked about the possibility of “Maestro” Oscar Washington Tabarez staying on as coach of the national selection, Suarez said that was a matter “for the president” though he did reaffirm his importance to the team.

“I believe he is super important for all he has given the selection – he has made some very big changes that no other trainer was able to do, and that must be acknowledged,” he said.

The Barcelona player also sought to give goalkeeper Fernando Muslera his support following his unfortunate error that allowed France to score its second goal.

“His career speaks for itself… he has a lot of experience and the support of all our fans is something to remember, it expresses an appreciation of him both at the personal and professional levels,” he said with reference to the repeated chants in favour of the Uruguayan goalkeeper.